US Men's National Team (26 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

We havent really talked about Downs much.

What he showed was basically what i saw in my very limited club viewing. Big guy, decent athleticism, soccer IQ and skill set...but nothing that elevated (he did score some goals for club at least). Sub minutes can be hard for a forward to find a foothold and sense of the game though...but yeah, nothing exactly jumped out.

But at 21, this could be a big year for him with his move to Southampton. I dont see him getting ahead of any of the guys in front of him (including Sarge...although apparently he already is for Poch), but a good year will put pressure on all of them- a good thing. And our forward play has been so dicey and injury prone, getting into a good scoring run when its time for Poch to make his selections could force his way in...especially seeing how Poch values players hes gotten to know.

 

[B Maverick]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

 

[TennesseeJed]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Thanks for posting, that was a pretty balanced look at everyone on the list.

 

[encaitar]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Pulisic a likely? LOL. I know Poch is butthurt by his absence this summer, but you want to see the biggest meltdown of all time? Leave the US's best ever player off the WC roster and wait for the fireworks.....

 

[zoobird]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Pulisic a likely? LOL. I know Poch is butthurt by his absence this summer, but you want to see the biggest meltdown of all time? Leave the US's best ever player off the WC roster and wait for the fireworks.....

I know Poch is annoyed at Pulisic, but having Weah in the category above Pulisic makes no sense.

I think Tillman is now a lock for the roster, whether or not he starts...although I would consider him the probable starter at this point. Also hard to see how a healthy Dest would not make the roster.

 

[TLEF316]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Pulisic a likely? LOL. I know Poch is butthurt by his absence this summer, but you want to see the biggest meltdown of all time? Leave the US's best ever player off the WC roster and wait for the fireworks.....

I mean.....Jurgen already pulled this move in 2014 (I remember exactly what I was doing when the news hit Twitter but it was 11 years ago....time really is a sonofabitch)

I get that donovan was 32 at the time and CP will only be 27 next year but Landon was still playing at a good level for the national team (best player at the gold cup a year earlier and had played the full 90 in the the last 2 qualifiers contributing to 2 goals against mexico) and the back end of the roster (I believe we took Brad Davis instead of him....Whoof) was much weaker than it is today.

 

[encaitar]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Pulisic a likely? LOL. I know Poch is butthurt by his absence this summer, but you want to see the biggest meltdown of all time? Leave the US's best ever player off the WC roster and wait for the fireworks.....

I mean.....Jurgen already pulled this move in 2014 (I remember exactly what I was doing when the news hit Twitter but it was 11 years ago....time really is a sonofabitch)

I get that donovan was 32 at the time and CP will only be 27 next year but Landon was still playing at a good level for the national team (best player at the gold cup a year earlier and had played the full 90 in the the last 2 qualifiers contributing to 2 goals against mexico) and the back end of the roster (I believe we took Brad Davis instead of him....Whoof) was much weaker than it is today.

Yeah. I remember it very well. Myself and most American soccer fans were quite pissed about it and it became very obvious how much we missed him when we couldn't create any offense against Belgium in the knock out round and wasted perhaps the greatest GK performance of all time.

Three very important things though...
1. Soccer as a whole has become much more popular here in the US.
2. Pulisic, whether deserved or not, is a much more recognizable name worldwide than Donovan was at that point IMO and is in his absolute physical prime. There can't be any stupid argument like there was for Donovan that he isn't in shape.
3. This year's tourney is in the US, which will make it much more public.

I think it would be one of the sport's biggest ever stories if Poch left a healthy Pulisic at home.

 

[TLEF316]

#'s 2 and 3 are true for sure. And as a whole, soccer is almost certainly more popular here than it was 15 years ago. But I would say that the Landon's heroics against Algeria made the snub even more symbolically crushing.

He was "the guy that scored THE GOAL" and 4 years later (when he could still play), he was tossed aside over petty nonsense.

And the reality is that I dont think the powers that be would LET Poch pull a similar move under any circumstances. The stooges at US soccer are as weak as they were 15 years ago, but I dont think there's any chance they fear Poch the way they feared Klinsman. Klinsman was seen as the great builder who was gonna take US soccer into the future. We had to appease him or he might leave us.....Poch is just a hired gun collecting a paycheck for 2 years and I think everyone realizes it.

I think they would fire and replace Poch before they'd let him leave a healthy CP at home. And I honestly think the core group of players would revolt if he tried it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is the first "official" of what should be many moves this summer.

=====================

USMNT Otaku

@USMNTOtaku


OFFICIAL: Southampton have signed Damion Downs from FC Köln on a four-year deal.

 

[El Floppo]

This is the first "official" of what should be many moves this summer.

=====================

USMNT Otaku

@USMNTOtaku


OFFICIAL: Southampton have signed Damion Downs from FC Köln on a four-year deal.

I guess the Championship is a higher level than Bundie2.

Hope he grows a ton wnough to challenge the people ahead of him.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is the first "official" of what should be many moves this summer.

=====================

USMNT Otaku
@USMNTOtaku


OFFICIAL: Southampton have signed Damion Downs from FC Köln on a four-year deal.

I guess the Championship is a higher level than Bundie2.

Hope he grows a ton wnough to challenge the people ahead of him.

Koln was promoted though. If he had stayed he would have been in the Bundesliga.

But I have to assume Southampton likely pay much much better than Koln does.

There is a big bundle of people competing for that 3rd striker spot including Haji, Sargent, Agy, and Downs. All of them may be in the Championship this year. Sargent is getting looks from EPL teams though.

 

[El Floppo]

Koln was promoted though. If he had stayed he would have been in the Bundesliga.

Thats insane.

Had to be about money.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

he was tossed aside over petty nonsense.

Agreed the snub was petty, yet at the same time I think JK, just like Poch now, is alluding to what I think have consistently been the biggest hurdles the US faces in getting to the 'next' level in the game.

JK and Poch both come from cultures where soccer is life even more than basketball or football is to Americans, so that taking time off for anything less than physical incapacity is unacceptable to what they're used to, and by extension, the rest of the soccer world. They want players who will do whatever it takes--physically, mentally and by pushing the limits of the rules, to win. Donovan 'failed' JK on the mental aspect. CP 'failed' Poch on the physical aspect. Personally, I can't imagine Donovan was completely blindsided by JK's decision; after all, he played in Europe and got to see that mindset first hand. As for CP, given his injury history, I'm OK with him wanting to rest this Summer, because I believe if the World Cup wasn't next year, he would have been on this roster. Poch should have been more diplomatic, but I understand why he took such a hard stance; he wants all-or-nothing from his players and bending to one player sends a mixed message, no matter how good that player is. As for the third criterion, pushing the limits of the rules, I think Poch's comments after the Mexico loss indicate that he's starting to feel the reality that American players can't push the envelope.

Regarding the no handball call, he said:

I’m not going to cry. I want to tell the truth. And the truth is if that happened in the opposite half, in the other box, for sure it’s a penalty. If similar calls went against Mexico, 'it would be a fire on the stadium. But for us, it's like, OK, they are nice guys. They're nice guys. It's not a problem,' ".

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

Related to the last point, Poch also puts a lot of stock in the energy of the fans in the stadium. This is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome, and is the best example of the gulf between American soccer and the rest of the world: we're too selective, only support winners and feel guilty about having national pride. Until we ensure a heavy majority of American fans in American venues, American soccer and soccer players, no matter how good they are, will always, rightly or wrongly, be considered second-class, and until the fans become passionate enough to show up en masse to games on their own soil to cheer on whatever players are representing them, we will never join the ranks of top-tier teams from ****hole, third world countries whose soccer passion runs circles around ours.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Related to the last point, Poch also puts a lot of stock in the energy of the fans in the stadium. This is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome, and is the best example of the gulf between American soccer and the rest of the world: we're too selective, only support winners and feel guilty about having national pride. Until we ensure a heavy majority of American fans in American venues, American soccer and soccer players, no matter how good they are, will always, rightly or wrongly, be considered second-class, and until the fans become passionate enough to show up en masse to games on their own soil to cheer on whatever players are representing them, we will never join the ranks of top-tier teams from ****hole, third world countries whose soccer passion runs circles around ours.

When I was young and dumb in the 90's, instead of old and dumb today, I would often look around the stadiums in the country and think "it may take a few decades, but these fans cheering for other countries while living here in the US will slowly change and eventually their kids and their grand kids will naturally start to follow the US team instead."

30 years on, it never happened. We not only have significantly more soccer fans in the US today than there were 30 years ago, the vast vast majority of them still identify with their country of heritage. And these are not new immigrants where that would be the obvious choice. Many of these fans are now second and even 3rd generation US born fans who still would rather root for their fathers or grandfathers national/club team.

At this point I have come to the realization that there is nothing that will ever change this. Ten years ago I used to think that if a Mexican American player could become a superstar with the US some day and maybe that could turn the eye of the younger Mexican American generation to the US but even ignoring the extreme unlikelihood a creating such a star, I am not even sure that would make a dent.

I don't see any way out of this sadly. Yes, US casuals will follow the team when they think they are good enough but that is fleeting support at best.

 

[TLEF316]

All fair points.

Landon was ahead of his time in the sense of valuing and being pretty open about his mental struggles. It started when he was a lonely 18 year old in Germany and never really stopped. And JK (and to be fair....most of the fan base) was never gonna accept that. But the unfortunate difference between us and Germany/Argentina is star depth. If Germany's top player takes a break....they've likely got another guy starting and starring for a top 20ish club ready to step in and fill the spot. And that means that when player A is ready to go again, his spot may be gone.

You can afford to take that stance when player B is a starter in a top 5 league. You can't really do that when player B is Wondo or Brad Davis or whatever travesty would replace Pulisic if Poch were to hold a grudge.

From a physical perspective, I absolutely understand CP taking a break. He's been hurt a lot, played a LOT this year and being healthy for next year should be priority #1. The circumstances and messaging just came off badly. The team absolutely crapped the bed in last year's Copa and March's nation's league. Other guys COULDN'T be there due to Club WC and this was the last competitive opportunity to build something in a competive environment prior to the tournament.

My issue is that I'm guessing if Weston and Weah and A-Rob and Dest are there.....CP probably shows up too. But since they couldn't, it gave him an excuse to take a break. And if that's the case, that means his true reason for not showing was not wanting to slum it with the B Teamers.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

My issue is that I'm guessing if Weston and Weah and A-Rob and Dest are there.....CP probably shows up too. But since they couldn't, it gave him an excuse to take a break. And if that's the case, that means his true reason for not showing was not wanting to slum it with the B Teamers.

You could be right, though I think if the WC wasn't next year, he would have played even without the others, unless AC Milan forbade it. I think he's still the same competitor that wept after losing the Wet and Bumpy game.

 

[El Floppo]

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

This used to be true. Im thinking if daddy reyna getting called on that handball PK in qualifying along eith many others.

But i really dont see it any more. There are bad and inconsistent refs, yes. And there are times when it feels like every calls against us...but also vice versa. But the US also doesnt seem to understand how to play to what the refs giving them. If theyre getting kicked from behind and not getting the calls- thats how its going to be, so dont go down yourself, and start kicking the opponent from behind too. I think thats the "nice guys" comment from Poch.

But overall, i really havent seen the obvious reffing where the US gets nothing for a long time.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

This used to be true. Im thinking if daddy reyna getting called on that handball PK in qualifying along eith many others.

But i really dont see it any more. There are bad and inconsistent refs, yes. And there are times when it feels like every calls against us...but also vice versa. But the US also doesnt seem to understand how to play to what the refs giving them. If theyre getting kicked from behind and not getting the calls- thats how its going to be, so dont go down yourself, and start kicking the opponent from behind too. I think thats the "nice guys" comment from Poch.

But overall, i really havent seen the obvious reffing where the US gets nothing for a long time.

I probably have 'daddy goggles' when watching the US, but it seems like other teams are able to get away with the little things that build up, i.e. the extra pushing, jersey pulling, arm grabbing, etc., that our players would get a quick whistle for. That's why I loved Kellyn Acosta so much; he's the best American ****houser I've seen in 15 years. I had high hopes for Hoppe but he seems to have fallen off a cliff.

 

[El Floppo]

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

This used to be true. Im thinking if daddy reyna getting called on that handball PK in qualifying along eith many others.

But i really dont see it any more. There are bad and inconsistent refs, yes. And there are times when it feels like every calls against us...but also vice versa. But the US also doesnt seem to understand how to play to what the refs giving them. If theyre getting kicked from behind and not getting the calls- thats how its going to be, so dont go down yourself, and start kicking the opponent from behind too. I think thats the "nice guys" comment from Poch.

But overall, i really havent seen the obvious reffing where the US gets nothing for a long time.

I probably have 'daddy goggles' when watching the US, but it seems like other teams are able to get away with the little things that build up, i.e. the extra pushing, jersey pulling, arm grabbing, etc., that our players would get a quick whistle for. That's why I loved Kellyn Acosta so much; he's the best American ****houser I've seen in 15 years. I had high hopes for Hoppe but he seems to have fallen off a cliff.

US players do tend to grab a lot, defend with their hands...maybe its allowed in MLS, but is an easy call anywhere else.definitely something I've noticed and am frustrated by over the years. That ticky tacky bs is the same result as a hard tackle on somebody- same foul...so just do that instead. But they dont. A level of naivete i think. Same reason so many US guys cant sit on a ball and not let anybody get to it (but in reverse).

Adams and Swag are pretty high level ****housers.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

My issue is that I'm guessing if Weston and Weah and A-Rob and Dest are there.....CP probably shows up too. But since they couldn't, it gave him an excuse to take a break. And if that's the case, that means his true reason for not showing was not wanting to slum it with the B Teamers.

That's an interesting wrinkle I hadn't considered before, but it's very plausible that the lack of the other "starters" may have played a role in his ultimate decision. To put a less negative spin on it, there could have also been concerns on his part that the absence of other threats was going to increase the physical pounding he'd have to take from the other teams. We've seen it before in Concacaf that when he's the main/only threat he gets a lot of hard fouls, and the refs haven't always protected him much. It may be a combination of these two dynamics that pushed him into making the decision to not play.

 

[TLEF316]

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

This used to be true. Im thinking if daddy reyna getting called on that handball PK in qualifying along eith many others.

But i really dont see it any more. There are bad and inconsistent refs, yes. And there are times when it feels like every calls against us...but also vice versa. But the US also doesnt seem to understand how to play to what the refs giving them. If theyre getting kicked from behind and not getting the calls- thats how its going to be, so dont go down yourself, and start kicking the opponent from behind too. I think thats the "nice guys" comment from Poch.

But overall, i really havent seen the obvious reffing where the US gets nothing for a long time.

I probably have 'daddy goggles' when watching the US, but it seems like other teams are able to get away with the little things that build up, i.e. the extra pushing, jersey pulling, arm grabbing, etc., that our players would get a quick whistle for. That's why I loved Kellyn Acosta so much; he's the best American ****houser I've seen in 15 years. I had high hopes for Hoppe but he seems to have fallen off a cliff.

US players do tend to grab a lot, defend with their hands...maybe its allowed in MLS, but is an easy call anywhere else.definitely something I've noticed and am frustrated by over the years. That ticky tacky bs is the same result as a hard tackle on somebody- same foul...so just do that instead. But they dont. A level of naivete i think. Same reason so many US guys cant sit on a ball and not let anybody get to it (but in reverse).

Adams and Swag are pretty high level ****housers.

I absolutely hate the "stand over the ball blocking out the defender behind you and then falling on top of it the second anyone grazes you" move. Drives me insane.

When guys get clipped running at full speed (even when the contact SEEMS minimal) I understand them falling down (and sometimes even looking ridiculous while doing so). But the box-out flop just sucks.

 

[El Floppo]

My issue is that I'm guessing if Weston and Weah and A-Rob and Dest are there.....CP probably shows up too. But since they couldn't, it gave him an excuse to take a break. And if that's the case, that means his true reason for not showing was not wanting to slum it with the B Teamers.

That's an interesting wrinkle I hadn't considered before, but it's very plausible that the lack of the other "starters" may have played a role in his ultimate decision. To put a less negative spin on it, there could have also been concerns on his part that the absence of other threats was going to increase the physical pounding he'd have to take from the other teams. We've seen it before in Concacaf that when he's the main/only threat he gets a lot of hard fouls, and the refs haven't always protected him much. It may be a combination of these two dynamics that pushed him into making the decision to not play.

Could be. But hes always THE threat and always getting kicked. Product of being THE guy and thr mantle he takes on of being that guy.

I genuinely believe he looked up after a looong 2 years without break and decided the best thing for him as a player heading into an important rebound season with Milan (for the club, not him) and year out of the WC, was to rest and recharge for those two things ahead of him.

I highly doubt he looked over the roster and made his decision based on that.

 

[El Floppo]

To me, the anti-American bias in soccer is real. I know I haven't followed as long as many of you, and I never played the game except in gym class in junior high school, but I've seen enough to know that our players have received a lot worse than they've given for the 15+ years I've been paying attention. If any CONCACAF player can fall down after brushing up against an American player and draw a foul/card while also kicking that same American player up and down the field with no consequences, what chance do we have against European and South American teams? If we played grabass-style soccer like CONMEBOL teams, we'd set a record for cards before halftime.

This used to be true. Im thinking if daddy reyna getting called on that handball PK in qualifying along eith many others.

But i really dont see it any more. There are bad and inconsistent refs, yes. And there are times when it feels like every calls against us...but also vice versa. But the US also doesnt seem to understand how to play to what the refs giving them. If theyre getting kicked from behind and not getting the calls- thats how its going to be, so dont go down yourself, and start kicking the opponent from behind too. I think thats the "nice guys" comment from Poch.

But overall, i really havent seen the obvious reffing where the US gets nothing for a long time.

I probably have 'daddy goggles' when watching the US, but it seems like other teams are able to get away with the little things that build up, i.e. the extra pushing, jersey pulling, arm grabbing, etc., that our players would get a quick whistle for. That's why I loved Kellyn Acosta so much; he's the best American ****houser I've seen in 15 years. I had high hopes for Hoppe but he seems to have fallen off a cliff.

US players do tend to grab a lot, defend with their hands...maybe its allowed in MLS, but is an easy call anywhere else.definitely something I've noticed and am frustrated by over the years. That ticky tacky bs is the same result as a hard tackle on somebody- same foul...so just do that instead. But they dont. A level of naivete i think. Same reason so many US guys cant sit on a ball and not let anybody get to it (but in reverse).

Adams and Swag are pretty high level ****housers.

I absolutely hate the "stand over the ball blocking out the defender behind you and then falling on top of it the second anyone grazes you" move. Drives me insane.

When guys get clipped running at full speed (even when the contact SEEMS minimal) I understand them falling down (and sometimes even looking ridiculous while doing so). But the box-out flop just sucks.

Ok.

 

[NewlyRetired]

My issue is that I'm guessing if Weston and Weah and A-Rob and Dest are there.....CP probably shows up too. But since they couldn't, it gave him an excuse to take a break. And if that's the case, that means his true reason for not showing was not wanting to slum it with the B Teamers.

Don't forget that Pulisic wanted to play in the two friendlies, but wanted to take the Gold Cup off.

So I don't think he had an issue with the B teamers per say, especially at that time as I don't think either Dest or Balogun had yet pulled out.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Tom Bogert

@tombogert


Patrick Agyemang trained with Charlotte FC today as he returned from the Gold Cup ... move to Derby County still on. Just working on final details / scheduling medical. Agyemang only wants Derby.Charlotte stance is Agyemang is their player until it's done. Almost there

======

Sources: Celta Vigo among European clubs with interest in USMNT and Real Salt Lake attacker Diego Luna.

 

[TennesseeJed]

Just came across this: USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Big Board: Which Gold Cup players made their case?

Locks: Richards, Robinson, Adams, Weah
Likelies: Pulisic, McKinnie, Ream, Dest, Musah, Tillman, Turner, Luna, Balogun, Pepi
Bubble: Everyone else.

Enjoy some of the reasoning on each, like "24. Max Arfsten, defender?" (yes with the ?) or Berhalter "put in an application for a World Cup ticket as a so-called “vibes guy,” the type of role that his dad gave to Cristian Roldan in 2022."

Pulisic a likely? LOL. I know Poch is butthurt by his absence this summer, but you want to see the biggest meltdown of all time? Leave the US's best ever player off the WC roster and wait for the fireworks.....

I mean.....Jurgen already pulled this move in 2014 (I remember exactly what I was doing when the news hit Twitter but it was 11 years ago....time really is a sonofabitch)

I get that donovan was 32 at the time and CP will only be 27 next year but Landon was still playing at a good level for the national team (best player at the gold cup a year earlier and had played the full 90 in the the last 2 qualifiers contributing to 2 goals against mexico) and the back end of the roster (I believe we took Brad Davis instead of him....Whoof) was much weaker than it is today.

Yeah. I remember it very well. Myself and most American soccer fans were quite pissed about it and it became very obvious how much we missed him when we couldn't create any offense against Belgium in the knock out round and wasted perhaps the greatest GK performance of all time.

Three very important things though...
1. Soccer as a whole has become much more popular here in the US.
2. Pulisic, whether deserved or not, is a much more recognizable name worldwide than Donovan was at that point IMO and is in his absolute physical prime. There can't be any stupid argument like there was for Donovan that he isn't in shape.
3. This year's tourney is in the US, which will make it much more public.

I think it would be one of the sport's biggest ever stories if Poch left a healthy Pulisic at home.

If Poch had to name the squad today - I think Pulisic is in.

But I also think Pulisic has to re-earn Poch’s trust over the next few international windows. I think Poch will want to see how important playing for the shirt is to Pulisic - how does he show up, and put in the effort, even in friendlies, will matter to Poch.

So I don’t think he is a lock, but he will have to do more than just skip out the summer to not have a spot next summer.


Starting? Different question

 

[TLEF316]

Saw in the athletic that Lyon won their appeal and will not be relegated. So tessman and presumably turner will be in league uhhhh and the Europa league.

But apparently this means that richards and crystal Palace may get kicked out of europa, as the clubs apparently have some common ownership.

 

[NewlyRetired]

https://x.com/FabrizioRomano
Fabrizio Romano

@FabrizioRomano

Malik Tillman will become new Bayer Leverkusen player in the next days as all documents are completed.Here we go, confirmed.

 

[El Floppo]

tessman

Did he get called into the GC camp, or make the inital roster and not make the team?

After the olympics i figured he would be next guy up. Granted, Seb has had a great MLS season and deserved the chance...but felt like the MF was area of weakness.

 

[NewlyRetired]

tessman

Did he get called into the GC camp, or make the inital roster and not make the team?

After the olympics i figured he would be next guy up. Granted, Seb has had a great MLS season and deserved the chance...but felt like the MF was area of weakness.

Tessman was on the Preliminary roster.

I believe Tessman, Sargent and Morris (Adien) (among others) were all coaches decision to not include on the final roster.

 

[NewlyRetired]

USMNT Movement Post (To be updated regularly)


Officially moved
Matt Turner to Lyon (Ligue 1)
Damion Downs to Southampton (Championship)


Here We Go (close)

Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)


Rumor Stage

Johnny - linked heavily with Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Diego Luna - linked lightly with Celta Vigo (La Liga) and other Euro clubs

Ricardo Pepi - Linked with Real Betis (La Liga) but little else as PSV has made it clear he will come with a large price tag

Patrick Agyemang - Linked heavily with Derby County (Championship)

Yunus Musah - Was originally linked heavily with Napoli (Serie A) but things have gone quiet

Josh Sargent - Linked with Leeds (EPL)

Tim Weah - Turned down move to Nottingham Forrest (EPL), latest rumors link him to Olympique Marseille (Ligue 1)


Should be moving but no rumors yet

Gio Reyna


Contract Extensions

The following players have all recently signed long term contracts at current clubs

Julian Eyestone: Brentford (EPL)
Noakai Banks: Augsburgh (Bundesliga)
Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Of note, Christian Pulisic has NOT yet re-signed with Milan. This has been in the works for months now but no closure yet.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If any one has any additions, or corrections to the above post, please let me know and I will update it

 

[El Floppo]

Potential for Milan to play Como in a Serie A match... in Australia. will need approval from every governing body involved- FIFA, Aussie, Asia, etc. sounds like Serie A has approved already.

would be the first Euro game outside of euro (they had tried to get Barca to play somebody recently in Miami, but la Liga shot it down).

and of course means a ton of travel for CP and Musah.

 

[B Maverick]

and of course means a ton of travel for CP and Musah.

Good thing they took the summer off.....

 

[El Floppo]

Brandon Vazquez tore his ACL. whatever outside shot he had at playing for the US coming up is out.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Brandon Vazquez tore his ACL. whatever outside shot he had at playing for the US coming up is out.

he was very unlikely to make the squad unless we had 4 injuries but still sad none the less.

 

[NewlyRetired]

USMNT Movement Post (To be updated regularly)



Update in this post: New info for Patrick Agyemang. Added initial info on Griffan Yow. Added updated info on Tillman


Officially moved
Matt Turner to Lyon (Ligue 1)
Damion Downs to Southampton (Championship)


Here We Go (close)

Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga). Update: Some media are reporting that the deal could be as high as 40M. If that number is true, it will be the biggest buy in Bayer's history.


Rumor Stage

Johnny - linked heavily with Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Diego Luna - linked lightly with Celta Vigo (La Liga) and other Euro clubs

Ricardo Pepi - Linked with Real Betis (La Liga) but little else as PSV has made it clear he will come with a large price tag

Patrick Agyemang - Linked heavily with Derby County (Championship). Update: Completed his medical today. Fee appears to be agreed upon and the deal is very close to being done.

Yunus Musah - Was originally linked heavily with Napoli (Serie A) but things have gone quiet

Josh Sargent - Linked with Leeds (EPL)

Tim Weah - Turned down move to Nottingham Forrest (EPL), latest rumors link him to Olympique Marseille (Ligue 1)

Update: Griffan Yow - DC United has submitted a bid to Westerloo. An interesting side note here is that DC United actually hold a sell on fee on Yow to begin with and are now trying to buy him back.

Should be moving but no rumors yet

Gio Reyna


Contract Extensions

The following players have all recently signed long term contracts at current clubs

Julian Eyestone: Brentford (EPL)
Noakai Banks: Augsburgh (Bundesliga)
Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Of note, Christian Pulisic has NOT yet re-signed with Milan. This has been in the works for months now but no closure yet.

 

[NewlyRetired]

hmmmm..............................Adams taking a shot at his missing teammates?

=============================

Tyler Adams: “To be quite frank with you, I was happy that I was even able to make it through the tournament. Was my body in a position to play at the highest level come Gold Cup? No chance, but I know I have to be there and try and support these boys."

 

[NewlyRetired]

USMNT Movement Post (To be updated regularly)



Update in this post: Tillman moves from Here We Go to Offiical


Officially moved
Matt Turner to Lyon (Ligue 1)
Damion Downs to Southampton (Championship)
Update: Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

Here We Go (close)



Rumor Stage

Johnny - linked heavily with Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Diego Luna - linked lightly with Celta Vigo (La Liga) and other Euro clubs

Ricardo Pepi - Linked with Real Betis (La Liga) but little else as PSV has made it clear he will come with a large price tag

Patrick Agyemang - Linked heavily with Derby County (Championship).

Yunus Musah - Was originally linked heavily with Napoli (Serie A) but things have gone quiet

Josh Sargent - Linked with Leeds (EPL)

Tim Weah - Turned down move to Nottingham Forrest (EPL), latest rumors link him to Olympique Marseille (Ligue 1)

Griffan Yow - DC United has submitted a bid to Westerloo. An interesting side note here is that DC United actually hold a sell on fee on Yow to begin with and are now trying to buy him back.

Should be moving but no rumors yet

Gio Reyna


Contract Extensions

The following players have all recently signed long term contracts at current clubs

Julian Eyestone: Brentford (EPL)
Noakai Banks: Augsburgh (Bundesliga)
Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Of note, Christian Pulisic has NOT yet re-signed with Milan. This has been in the works for months now but no closure yet.

 

[The Z Machine]

Saw in the athletic that Lyon won their appeal and will not be relegated. So tessman and presumably turner will be in league uhhhh and the Europa league.

But apparently this means that richards and crystal Palace may get kicked out of europa, as the clubs apparently have some common ownership.

100% predictable

 

[FreeBaGeL]

How are we feeling about the Tillman move? I had very much liked his development the last couple years with PSV, and having a tri-America squad to root for in CL was fun.

 

[El Floppo]

How are we feeling about the Tillman move? I had very much liked his development the last couple years with PSV, and having a tri-America squad to root for in CL was fun.

I mentioned before the GC that while i knew he had good physicality and determination to defend individually, didnt seem like he was asked to do much tactical/team defending..so i really wanted to see what that looked like with the US. A move to germany will demand the same.

He looked good. And as a german, his development youth time spent there will take away the adjustment time. Im always nervous about switches to big clubs, but im hopeful about him going next level in his own game in a more tactically demanding league.

But yeah...ill miss the one-stop viewing and fun with PSV

 

[NewlyRetired]

How are we feeling about the Tillman move? I had very much liked his development the last couple years with PSV, and having a tri-America squad to root for in CL was fun.

I am happy with it. There is always the fear that he may not get playing time but the kid really looks like a quality player. I have a feeling he may do well there.

He has come a long way from being suspended for oversleeping at PSV to being sold for a record 40m to a solid Bundesliga team.

 

[NewlyRetired]

=======================

Voetbal International report that Sergiño Dest left PSV’s friendly with SV Elversberg early. The right-back came off in the 20th minute with a suspected thigh or groin injury.

Peter Bosz started the American full-back and added minutes to the 45 minutes he got against Union Saint-Gilloise last week. Dest was supposed to play a half against Elversberg, but he didn’t make it past the 20th minute.

The 24-year-old went down and underwent physical therapy but quickly decided not to continue. It appeared the injury was to his thigh or groin, but the exact details of the injury are, of course, still unknown.

 

[NewlyRetired]

USMNT Movement Post (To be updated regularly)



Update in this post: Rumor for Pulisic (this is unexpected!)


Officially moved
Matt Turner to Lyon (Ligue 1)
Damion Downs to Southampton (Championship)
Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)



Here We Go (close)



Rumor Stage

Johnny - linked heavily with Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Diego Luna - linked lightly with Celta Vigo (La Liga) and other Euro clubs

Ricardo Pepi - Linked with Real Betis (La Liga) but little else as PSV has made it clear he will come with a large price tag

Patrick Agyemang - Linked heavily with Derby County (Championship).

Yunus Musah - Was originally linked heavily with Napoli (Serie A) but things have gone quiet

Josh Sargent - Linked with Leeds (EPL)

Tim Weah - Turned down move to Nottingham Forrest (EPL), latest rumors link him to Olympique Marseille (Ligue 1)

Griffan Yow - DC United has submitted a bid to Westerloo. An interesting side note here is that DC United actually hold a sell on fee on Yow to begin with and are now trying to buy him back.

Update: Christian Pulisic - Al Nassr are talking to AC Milan about a possible bid for Pulisic. This would put Pulisic on a front line with Mane and CRo if it happens.


Should be moving but no rumors yet

Gio Reyna


Contract Extensions

The following players have all recently signed long term contracts at current clubs

Julian Eyestone: Brentford (EPL)
Noakai Banks: Augsburgh (Bundesliga)
Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Of note, Christian Pulisic has NOT yet re-signed with Milan. This has been in the works for months now but no closure yet.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Good news everyone! FIFA says WC2026 games will be played in domed stadia to avoid the heat issues!

ESPN FC on Instagram: "FIFA president Gianni Infantino says 2026 World Cup Matches Will have Covered Stadiums After Heat Issues"

 

[B Maverick]

Good news everyone! FIFA says WC2026 games will be played in domed stadia to avoid the heat issues!

ESPN FC on Instagram: "FIFA president Gianni Infantino says 2026 World Cup Matches Will have Covered Stadiums After Heat Issues"

I bet they work as well as the air conditioned stadiums in Qatar

 

[El Floppo]

=======================

Voetbal International report that Sergiño Dest left PSV’s friendly with SV Elversberg early. The right-back came off in the 20th minute with a suspected thigh or groin injury.

Peter Bosz started the American full-back and added minutes to the 45 minutes he got against Union Saint-Gilloise last week. Dest was supposed to play a half against Elversberg, but he didn’t make it past the 20th minute.

The 24-year-old went down and underwent physical therapy but quickly decided not to continue. It appeared the injury was to his thigh or groin, but the exact details of the injury are, of course, still unknown.

Same game, Pepi subbed in in the 2nd half. Just saw him linked to Fulham too.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Good news everyone! FIFA says WC2026 games will be played in domed stadia to avoid the heat issues!

ESPN FC on Instagram: "FIFA president Gianni Infantino says 2026 World Cup Matches Will have Covered Stadiums After Heat Issues"

are they changing the stadiums that were announced?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Good news everyone! FIFA says WC2026 games will be played in domed stadia to avoid the heat issues!

ESPN FC on Instagram: "FIFA president Gianni Infantino says 2026 World Cup Matches Will have Covered Stadiums After Heat Issues"

are they changing the stadiums that were announced?

oh I see now, they are simply changing the schedule so that the day time games will have priority to be played in the domed stadiums.